Amyloidosis in Black-footed Cats (Felis nigripes)

Abstract

Abstract. A high prevalence of systemic amyloidosis was documented in the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) based on a retrospective review of necropsy tissues (n 5 38) submitted as part of ongoing disease surveillance. Some degree of amyloid deposition was present in 33 of 38 (87%) of the examined cats, and amyloidosis was the most common cause of death (26/38, 68%). Amyloid deposition was most severe in the renal medullary interstitium (30/33, 91%) and glomeruli (21/33, 63%). Other common sites included the splenic follicular germinal centers (26/31, 84%), gastric lamina propria (9/23, 39%), and intestinal lamina propria (3/23, 13%). Amyloid in all sites stained with Congo red, and in 13 of 15 (87%) cats, deposits had strong immunoreactivity for canine AA protein by immunohistochemistry. There was no association with concurrent chronic inflammatory conditions (P 5 .51), suggesting that amyloidosis was not secondary to inflammation. Adrenal cortical hyperplasia, a morphologic indicator of stress that can predispose to amyloid deposition, was similarly not associated (P 5 .09) with amyloidosis. However, adrenals were not available from the majority of cats without amyloidosis; therefore, further analysis of this risk factor is warranted. Heritability estimation suggested that amyloidosis might be familial in this species. Additionally, tissues from a single free-ranging black-footed cat had small amounts of amyloid deposition, suggesting that there could be a predilection for amyloidosis in this species. Research to identify the protein sequence of serum amyloid A (SAA) in the black-footed cat is needed to further investigate the possibility of an amyloidogenic SAA in this species.

Glomerular Injury in Domestic Cats and the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus): A Comparative Review

“…Contrarily, in the black footed cats amyloidosis was not associated with inflammatory conditions and was also detected in a young, free-ranging animal. Familial amyloidosis is suspected in this species (Terio et al, 2008). In both species, amyloidosis was more severe in the medulla than in glomeruli, similar to what is observed in domestic and Abyssinian cats.…”

“…The most important have been secondary to systemic amyloidosis. Systemic AA amyloidosis has been described in black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) (Terio et al, 2008;Papendick et al, 1997). In both species, despite the systemic distribution, renal amyloidosis was the significant cause of morbidity and mortality.…”

Amyloidosis in Domestic Animals: Pathology, Pathogenesis, Gross and Microscopic Lesions and Clinical Findings

“…Heritability estimation suggested that amyloidosis might be familial in this species. Additionally, tissues from a single freeranging black-footed cat had small amounts of amyloid deposition, suggesting that there could be a predilection for amyloidosis in this species too (Terio et al, 2008). Therefore, in addition to Siamese and Abyssinian cats and Shar Pei dogs, in which familial amyloidosis is well-recognized in veterinary medicine, certain species such as cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas), black-footed cat and brown layer chickens appear to be genetically predisposed to amyloidosis.…”

“…AA amyloidosis is the most common type of amyloid in mammals and birds ( Fig. 1) and often results in hepatic or renal failure due to physical disruption of normal cellular and organ processes (Terio et al, 2008). It is a common disease of water fowl and is characterized by the deposition of extracellular fibrils of amyloid A (AA) protein in the liver and certain other organs in this species (Guo et al, 1996).…”

“…AA amyloidosis is also reported in a wide variety of domestic animal species including canines, equines, bovines, avian species, porcines, felines, sheep and goats (Jakob, 1971;Johnson & Jamison, 1984;Hayden et al, 1988;Zschiesche & Jakob, 1989;DiBartola, et al, 1990;Blunden & Smith, 1992;Seifi et al, 1997;Landman, 1998;Ménsua et al, 2003). It is described in association with different chronic diseases, in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), mink (Mustela vison), black-footed cats (Felis nigripes), black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), bighorn and Dall's sheep, free living lioness and in swans and other anatidae (Panthera leo) (Hadlow & Jellison, 1962;Sato et al, 1981;Kingston et al, 1982;Linke et al, 1986;Rideout et al, 1989;Munson, 1993;Nieto et al, 1995;Papendick et al, 1997;Schulze et al, 1998;Williams et al, 2005;Garner et al, 2007;Terio et al, 2008). It is reported in association with chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in the cheetahs and as idiopathic in the Siberian tigers.…”